Biography:
Samuel Galloway was a prominent merchant and property owner around London Town, Maryland in the late 17th and early 18th century. Like many around London Town, Samuel Galloway was a Quaker. The Galloway family first entered Maryland in 1649, with Richard being the first known. 1 Richard had two sons, Richard II and Samuel. 2 Samuel was born in 1659. 3 He was married first to Sarah Galloway and they had two children together before she died in 1685. 4 Their two children were Samuel II (b. 1682)5 and Hannah (birth date unknown)6. After the death of his first wife, he married Anne Webb in 1689. 7 He and Anne had a large family, consisting of five sons and three daughters. Their first three sons, Richard, Peter, and John died in infancy spanning from 1689-1692. 8 His other sons were: John (b. 1693)9, Peter Biner (b. 1696)10, Joseph (b. 1699)11, Richard (b. 1701)12, and Augustus (b. 1702)13. His other daughters were: Anne (b. 1695)14, Mary (b. 1697)15, and Sarah (b. 1700)16.
Although Galloway did not reside in London Town, he did own a significant amount of property around London Town. His tracts of land were situated along both South and West Rivers. Galloway resided just south of London Town around West River. Galloway was both socially and economically well connected to prominent Londontowners, such as Mordecai Moore and William Richardson. Both of these men were desired by Samuel in his will to be appraisors of his estate. 17
His will outlines which family members obtained lands that were in his possession at the time of his death. First, he bequeathed to his eldest son Samuel a tract of land that he purchased in Calvert County. 18 Samuel II was residing on this property at the time of his will. Samuel I made a stipulation within the will which stated that his four other sons would be heirs to the property and for them to share equally, but if Samuel II survived his four brothers, then the land should be "disposed of and the produce thereof to be equally divided among my three daughters Anne, Mary, & Sarah." 19 Samuel II took this case to court and renunciated his fathers estate. 20 It appears there was a discrepency among father and son with Samuel II being displeased with his fathers last will and testament.
Joseph Galloway was bequeathed a tract of land that Samuel's father, Richard had purchased known as "Dort." 21 "Dort" was a 300 acre tract of land and Samuel Galloway owned 50 acres. 22 This tract of land was situated on the west side of West River. He was also bequeathed a tract of land known as "Brown Town." 23 "Brown Town" or "Brownton" was 660 acres of land with Samuel Galloway owning 100 acres. 24 Joseph also received several other tracts of land known as "Galloway" (where his father resided), "Favor," "Gift," "Bonnerston," and "Peak." 25 The land "Galloway" was 250 acres and possessed by Samuel Galloway with the land also being composed of "Favor" and "Gift." 26 "Bonnerston" was 150 acres and Samuel owned 75 acres. 27
John Galloway was to receive the land known as "Cumberstone" and all the land that was bequeathed to Joseph if he were to die without any heirs. 28 "Cumberstone" was a 600 acre tract of land with Samuel Galloway possessing 100 acres. 29 Richard Galloway was to receive a tract of land called "Fordstone" and "Addition." 30 Samuel Galloway possessed all 120 acres of "Fordstone" 31 and all 50 acres of "Addition." 32
Peter Galloway was to receive a tract of land called "Obligation." 33 "Obligation" was transferred through a land deed from Thomas Stockett, Sr. to Samuel Galloway in 1719. 34 Samuel Galloway paid 148 pounds and 10 shillings to Stockett for two parcels of land: one being 250 acres and the other 76 acres. 35
Another tract of land, lying between South River and Patuxent River, known as "Whites Hall" was to be divided equally among four of his sons. 36 Richard was to have the first choice, followed by John, Joseph, and Peter. His daughters were all to receive negroes, furniture, cattle, and currency for the most part.
Aside from the land in Calvert County, Samuel Galloway II would continue to have the services of two negroes (Cesar and Toney) for as long as his wife saw fit and she could take them away "when she pleases." 37 Samuel I also gave his son Samuel "all that he stands indebted in my books fore." 38 Samuel I clearly was biased towards his four other sons because Samuel II was not permitted to hold onto any of the items he received from his father. Samuel I also made his four other sons executors of his last will and testament without including his eldest son.
Samuel Galloway also had problems with another of his children from his first marriage, Hannah. She married outside of the Quaker Meeting and was subsequently "disowned." 39 She married William Foard without the consent of the Meeting on the 7th day of the 5th month, 1710. 40 Because of this, she was left mostly out of the will. She received only one negro woman, whereas the rest of his daughters received various amounts of negroes, cattle, furniture, and currency. 41 Despite having issues with two of his children, Samuel Galloway led a prosperous life and became prominent within the community.
At the time of his death in 1720, Samuel Galloway owned 28 slaves. 42 His inventory for all goods, chattels, and credits amounted to 2324 pounds, 19 shillings, and 6 1/2 pence. 43 Of that total, the value of his 28 slaves amounted to 885 pounds and 32 shillings. 44 His slaves comprised roughly 38 percent of his total estate value. The next highest percentage in his inventory was livestock consisting of 17 percent, followed by personal goods at 16 percent. From his will and inventory, it can be concluded that Galloway was a considerably wealthy man around Anne Arundel County and the London Town jurisdiction.
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